Going Green to Save Some Green IACRL Conference 3/25/10 Meg Miner and Chris Sweet Ames Library, Illinois Wesleyan University

“We are in the middle of one of those rare moments when the right thing to do is also the economically smart thing to do.” Kathleen Schatzberg, President, Cape Cod Community College

 Our Green backgrounds  Goals for this presentation  Chris’s portion: things/tangibles  Meg’s portion: behaviors/intangibles

College and University Sustainability Agreements  Tailloires Declaration University Leaders for a Sustainable Future University Leaders for a Sustainable Future 1990, International in scope 1990, International in scope 350 signatories in 40 countries 350 signatories in 40 countries  American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment 2006, US-based, 670 signatories 2006, US-based, 670 signatories Provides a framework and resources to help implement comprehensive sustainability plans Provides a framework and resources to help implement comprehensive sustainability plans

College and University Sustainability Agreements  Illinois Sustainable University Compact 12 specific sustainability goals 12 specific sustainability goals Agreement is for each institution to accomplish some of these goals by Dec Agreement is for each institution to accomplish some of these goals by Dec Illinois Colleges and Universities have signed 77 Illinois Colleges and Universities have signed  Leveraging these agreements to forward green library initiatives

Illinois Community College Sustainability Network  2007: All Illinois Community Colleges  Meet new green economy needs  *Share resources state-wide that provide and promote energy education and sustainable practices  *Model renewable energy technology on community college campuses

Tangibles: Paper Conservation  Recycled paper? What percentage? Paper towels? Toilet paper?  Re-using single sided paper  Recycling bins Where are they? Where are they? How well are they labeled? How well are they labeled? Other types of recycling Other types of recycling

Printers and Copiers  Automatic Duplexing?  Paper tray locks  Ink quality settings  Energy Star certified?  Copiers: scan to /pdf option  Solid ink (Xerox Only)

Green RFPs  Much can be accomplished by implementing Green RFPs Energy Star requirements Energy Star requirements Duplex capable printers and copiers Duplex capable printers and copiers Energy efficient PCs and monitors Energy efficient PCs and monitors Small scale: wired vs. wireless mice Small scale: wired vs. wireless mice

Green Interlibrary Loan  Huge potential due to large amount of paper used and shipping (environmental and monetary)  New OCLC ILL study Worked with an environmental consulting firm Worked with an environmental consulting firm Packaging, shipping and waste Packaging, shipping and waste Borrowing profiles (go local!) Borrowing profiles (go local!) Reusable or recyclable packaging Reusable or recyclable packaging Electronic delivery whenever possible Electronic delivery whenever possible

Time to Eat!  Ensure that the staff lounge has reusable cups, utensils and plates.  Meetings, parties, conferences: reduce amount of packaging, individual bottles of water/soda, whenever possible

Going Green to Save Some Green The Intangibles

Motivation  Feeling good vs. doing good  Increased income “In sum, the available evidence is consistent in suggesting that a significant, and likely growing, proportion of prospective students are making decisions about where to apply and attend based on campus sustainability performance.” “In sum, the available evidence is consistent in suggesting that a significant, and likely growing, proportion of prospective students are making decisions about where to apply and attend based on campus sustainability performance.” -- Association for the Advancement of -- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Sustainability in Higher Education

What We Know  Topics for Community Education Paper and toner conservation Paper and toner conservation Document settingsDocument settings Default margins Default margins Default 2-up Default 2-up Print quotasPrint quotas Library/labs only? … Offices? Library/labs only? … Offices? Education + focus on cost recovery and/or limits Education + focus on cost recovery and/or limits E-reserves opportunitiesE-reserves opportunities

What We Know  Energy and water conservation Energy audits Energy audits Outsourcing can save 20%Outsourcing can save 20% Possible economy of scale factorPossible economy of scale factor In-house options In-house options Equipment power settingEquipment power setting Reusable ink cartridgesReusable ink cartridges Staff incentives/concernsStaff incentives/concerns Temperature settingsTemperature settings

Question:  We know a lot, but what do we show?  Become VISIBLE!

What We Can Do  Methods for communication Surveys Surveys Exhibits Exhibits Your Library Your Library Workshops/Brown Bags Workshops/Brown Bags News outlets News outlets Campus involvement Campus involvement

Wrapping Up Good will + Good policies = Good budget impact

Take Action!  One of the best things you can do to enhance library sustainability is to create a library green action plan.  For more information on the topics we mentioned, please visit: